Over the last few months I’ve been embracing what is ‘right’ for me…I’m the crazy lady walking barefoot in the park, sat on the bench tapping as I meditate.
I am the neighbour who runs across the garden in my bikini, in the rain to get in the ice bath.
I am the house which has a red light on in it's bedroom..... this is is my red therapy light and not a light to indicate my house is a brothel!
Last night as I ran 3 workshops for the fabulous gymnast I sat with my legs on a box so I could touch the floor. My whole life I’ve had to deal with my legs dangling…& my posture suffering as a result…no more. My body and health deserves better….my Feldenkrais teacher will be proud!
Every day I witness children & adults adapting themselves to their environments rather than getting their environments to work for them. Some children (& adults) move, fidget in order to self regulate their bodies which can often be mistaken as bad behaviour or being rude. I was forever swinging on my chair, doodling & biting my pen lid at school. In my sessions I offer the option to have a focus tool. At first the students may be a little giddy at the prospect & it may take a while settle on one they like. And over time these can really help a child be calm & focused in situations that are challenging for them. Especially highly sensitive children that see, hear and feel their environments so deeply.
Movement is a natural way to calm the nervous system & our bodies know how to do this automatically, unfortunately it is also deemed as bad behaviour & is put a stop to.
On the surface if a child that needs to move to regulate, does manage to find a way to remain still this can look like the child is now ‘ok’, when in reality they have been forced to mask through fear and are suppressing their natural coping strategies. They are also less likely to be taking in information as so much of their energy & attention is taken up by trying to remain still.
Neuroscience has shed so much light on this over the years, yet main stream schools still appear to be unaware of what support & simple environmental changes can be made to support all children, not just those highlighted as neurodivergent.
Here’s to raising awareness and embracing what works for you.
Lx